What should business owners be doing now if they're thinking about selling in 2026 or beyond? In this episode of Transaction Talk, Jennifer Fox and attorney Eric Sigman break down the key steps sellers can take to prepare for a smoother, more successful exit. Drawing on years of experience, they explain why a business sale typically takes around nine months from preparation to closing, why you can't treat it like listing a house, and how confidentiality, timing, and emotions all factor into the process. Jennifer and Eric discuss why it is essential to understand your numbers and tax implications, as well as document processes and clean up books and records, before due diligence begins. They also delve into why buyers pay for proof rather than potential, and how to find the right team of professionals to make the deal go smoothly. To hear the steps for navigating an exit and a practical roadmap for selling on your timeline and not the buyer's, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What most people get wrong about how long selling and exiting a business takes.
• Hear why you should start early to avoid rushing to market or reacting under pressure.
• Learn how the emotions of many sellers makes the selling process more intense.
• Explore how confidence and control can positively influence buyer perception.
• Discover how clean documentation, books, and records build buyer confidence.
• Why it is critical to talk with your CPA about the tax implications of selling, before selling.
• Uncover how proper due diligence before selling can maximize value and reduce friction.
• The distinction between "proof" and "potential" and why buyers pay for what's documented.
• Understand why establishing your full team of professionals early is essential.
• Find out how preparing early for a sale helps you take control of the timeline.

Tip of the Day: If you're thinking about selling your business, start preparing now and talk to your CPA and financial advisor early so you can sell on your timeline, with fewer surprises and better leverage at the negotiating table.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Jennifer Fox on LinkedIn

Eric Sigman on LinkedIn

Transaction Talk

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